Our foster care program provides a temporary home for nearly 1,500 animals each year until they are ready to be adopted. We take care of the medical needs of each animal while they are in foster care. Foster families offer shelter, care, and love while our pets wait to be placed in a permanent home or travel by transport to a partner shelter in another state. The number of animals we can save depends on the number of people who open their hearts and homes to welcome pets.
Foster homes also create space in the shelter to be able to rescue more pets in need. Additionally, rescue providers and animal foster homes may be eligible for reimbursement of the costs of taking in and caring for sick or injured animals in cases of cruelty. Many shelters hire rescue service providers and foster homes, and depending on the contract, the shelter will either retain ownership of the animals or transfer ownership to the receiving party. Animal rescue groups often cross state lines and take animals from shelters in the south to those in the north for adoption in foster homes. Laws that define these organizations and require licenses and inspections will ensure that all organizations are held accountable for the animals they house.
Rescue groups can have a central facility with enclosures to house the animals or they can use a network of foster homes to place them. Once an organization obtains a license, they will need to purchase companion animals to begin their work of saving and relocating them. Foster homes offer an alternative to the shelter environment and provide the care and comfort that only a home environment can provide, especially for kittens and small puppies, older animals, and frightened pets who are having a hard time at the shelter. Rescue groups and foster home providers help clear space in shelters and help animals avoid euthanasia by providing extra time and care. Rescue programs and foster homes should investigate their local and state laws on sterilization and vaccination requirements, laws on importing animals from other states, laws that limit the number of pets allowed on private property, zoning and nuisance laws, mooring restrictions, breed-specific legislation, tort liability, and financial reimbursement for helping animals during criminal cases of animal cruelty. Other laws related to contract issues, property claims, sterilization and vaccination requirements, laws on importing animals from other states, laws that limit the number of pets allowed on private property, zoning and nuisance laws, mooring restrictions, breed-specific legislation, tort liability, and financial reimbursement for when they participate in helping animals during criminal cases of animal cruelty may affect operations daily of these non-profit organizations.
